Shaving Tips From Moroccan Street Shavers

The first time I entered a barbershop was in Morocco. It was a traditional Moroccan street shaver’s shop and thus very small, with just enough room to accommodate two comfy leather chairs, a cabinet, a small radio and a picture of the king. The owner and only employee was a peaceful-looking 75-year-old man, and for a mere $0.45, he gave me the best shave I had ever had. When he had finished, my skin had the texture of a baby's butt and not a single nick had been inflicted — immaculate results which I had previously thought impossible to achieve. How could someone else do a better job shaving me than me? How could a stranger know my own skin, of which I have a solid mental map indicating every little contour and weak spot, so well?

Because Moroccan street shavers hold the secrets to the perfect shave, no matter who the recipient — that's how. For them, shaving is an ancient art, one bound by rules and techniques that men growing up in the West are rarely introduced to. Here are a few tips from Moroccan street shavers that I managed to gather by going under the blades of three different barbers: Reda, Adil and Younes. They all shaved me at different street locations in Rabat, Morocco's capital.

Street shaver tip 1: Prepare your skin for its shave with heat

Reda, a 47-year-old barber, told me it is very important to thoroughly prepare the skin for the wrath of an open blade. This preparation entails washing the face with plenty of hot water. As I placed my head back on the headrest of his chair, Reda applied a steaming towel to my face. He left it there for about 90 seconds, dabbing it against my skin from time to time before removing it as the steam gradually evaporated. The idea is to open the pores and loosen the hairs before you put the blade to them. You can achieve the same effect at home by dipping a thick facecloth in steaming hot water. A hot shower will also do the trick.

Street shaver tip 2: Use shaving paste

"Forget the gel and the mousse, it is not very good", Adil told me, “only a thick shaving brush and shaving paste will do.” In preparing me for my shave, Adil applied two small nuggets of paste to my face, one on the chin and the other on one cheek. Then the brushing with the shave brush began. This went on for a full three minutes, if not more, indicating how crucial this step really is. By applying the paste with a shave brush, even the tiniest hidden hair is made soft and loose from the root to the tip. The friction that the brush generates also numbs the epidermis, further preparing it for the blade. Stateside you can find shaving pastes and brushes at pharmacies and specialty shops. If you’re forced to choose between the two, go for the shaving brush. It will cost between $10 and $20 and last for years. And remember to use this tool for at least three minutes per shave session — do not rush this key step.